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To Help Neighbors, Pass the Guitar

On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Clinton Arts Project (CAP) will host its first Pass the Guitar fundraiser for the Shoreline Kitchens & Pantries at 6:30 p.m. at the First Church of Christ located at 55 Church Road, Clinton.

The event has a suggested entrance fee of $10, and attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item that can be donated. The premise of the pass the guitar event is that performers are each allotted a few minutes to play music, before handing the guitar off to the next performer who will play music using the same the guitar. The event, emceed by comedian Rob Santos, will last for three hours and feature more than 15 performers. According to Lorain Simister, the events coordinator for the CAP, Pass the Guitar was an event conceived by her friend Hugh Birdsall, who said the event’s structure is a way to solve the logistical issues of the time it takes to change between musicians, and the space the instruments take up.

“In a Pass the Guitar situation, there is almost no change-over time, because the instrument is right there, maybe already tuned up and ready to go. And there are not a lot of instrument cases lying around, or additional stage business to accommodate the variety of performer preferences and needs,” Birdsall said. “ So, it’s very simple, like sitting around the campfire with your friends.”

Since the first time Birdsall held the event in New London in 2014, the idea has spread among the arts community.

“I have been pleasantly surprised that others are trying this idea out. I am sure they will find ways to refine the original concept, and make it an even better idea,” Birdsall said.

Simister said CAP had the idea to benefit the food bank because food banks tend to see a drop-off in donations after the holidays, even though the need to serve people doesn’t disappear.

“People sit back and say, ‘I gave already,’” Simister said.

Simister also said that artists in the community have experience with struggling financially and the service food banks can provide.

“We’ve all been there, so we understand,” Simister said.

Simister said the shoreline community is “amazing” and expects the evening to be “packed.”

“We’re hoping the food bank can get things they need,” said Simister, noting in particular she would like to see fresh foods donated, not just canned goods.

Looking at the lineup of talented performers, Simister expects a very entertaining evening for attendees.

“Some of the people we have coming have never told me ‘No’ before, they’re always there,” Simister said. “I love doing this.”

For more information, find the Pass the Guitar 2018 page on Facebook.